E02 on a Bosch dishwasher is most often described as a heater relay fault on the control board, sometimes together with a temperature sensor (thermistor) problem. Sources disagree on the exact trigger, and it varies by model. Start with a power reset by unplugging the dishwasher or switching off the breaker for about 10 minutes. If E02 comes back, the usual next steps (testing the thermistor, relay or power module) need a multimeter or a technician, so confirm the meaning in your manual before buying any part.
Read More: How to Fix Bosch Dishwasher Error Code E09
Table of contents
What Does E02 Mean on a Bosch Dishwasher?
There is no single definition that every source agrees on:
| Source | What it says E02 means |
| Fred’s Appliance | The heater relay on the control board has a fault, or there’s a problem with the temperature sensor or thermistor. Its advice is to follow the E01 steps |
| MyPros | The dishwasher runs without heating. It lists a faulty heat pump heater relay, a ground fault at the heat pump heater, a ground fault at the zeolite heater, or a faulty zeolite heater relay (citing the Bosch SHXM78 service manual) |
| EasyBear Appliance Repair | A control-board relay fault. The board can’t reliably close one of its power-switching relays. It says this is not a pump, heater or sensor failure |
| Hoffmann Brothers | A generic “internal fault indication” when sensor or electronic readings fall outside the normal range. It names no specific component |
What this means: two sources tie E02 to the heater relay, and one adds the thermistor. The safest summary is that E02 is a heating-control or control-board fault on many models. Check your owner’s manual or service documentation for your exact model.
Common Causes of E02
Putting the sources together:
- A faulty heater relay on the control board (Fred’s Appliance, EasyBear). EasyBear ranks relay failure as the most common cause.
- A temperature sensor or thermistor problem (Fred’s Appliance).
- A faulty power module relay on models that have one (MyPros).
- A ground fault at the heat pump or zeolite heater on models with those components (MyPros).
- A power surge damaging the board (EasyBear).
- A temporary glitch that a reset clears.
Hoffmann Brothers also lists blocked filters, a jammed impeller, a float switch fault and wiring problems. Its listed fixes focus on water level and leak detection, which don’t clearly match a heating fault, so I haven’t treated those steps as an E02 fix.
How to Fix Bosch Error Code E02
Step 1: Reset the dishwasher
Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the breaker for about 10 minutes, then restore power and run a short cycle. EasyBear treats a 10-minute power cycle as the owner’s step, and says that if E02 clears and doesn’t return, it was probably a one-time glitch.
Step 2: Check whether it’s actually heating
If the dishes come out cold or greasy, or the water never warms, that points to the heating side. This is my practical suggestion, based on the heating-related meanings above.
Step 3: Test the thermistor (if you’re comfortable with a multimeter)
Fred’s Appliance says to follow its E01 advice for E02. For E01 it says that if the dishwasher isn’t heating, you can test the thermistor’s resistance with a multimeter on the ohms setting, and an “OL” reading means the thermistor needs replacing. Unplug the dishwasher before touching any wiring. If you’re unsure, skip this and call a technician.
Step 4: Leave relay and board work to a technician
Fred’s Appliance says a Bosch technician usually needs to check the control board. EasyBear describes a technician sequence: inspect the relay solder joints on the main board for cracks, test relay coil continuity, and, if E02 persists after a board replacement, check the door switch circuit. The relays sit on the live board, and EasyBear advises against opening the inner door panel.
Step 5: Check your warranty
If your dishwasher is under warranty, contact Bosch or an authorized service provider before opening anything.
DIY or Technician?
Reasonable DIY:
- Power reset
- Noting whether the dishwasher is heating water
- Checking your manual for the E02 meaning on your model
Technician:
- Testing or replacing the thermistor if you’re not comfortable with electrical testing
- Testing the relay, power module or heat pump or zeolite heater circuits
- Replacing the control board or power module
How Much Does an E02 Repair Cost?
EasyBear, a repair company, lists a typical professional repair at $300 to $500, with the lower end being a straightforward board swap and the higher end reflecting added labor on built-in models. That is one company’s pricing, not an industry figure, and the page is marketing content. I did not find prices elsewhere. Get a quote after diagnosis.
How E02 Compares With Other Bosch Codes
| Code | Commonly described as |
| E01 | Pump control circuit fault on the main board, or a temperature sensor or thermistor issue (Fred’s Appliance) |
| E02 | Heater relay on the control board, or temperature sensor or thermistor (Fred’s Appliance) |
| E03 | Auxiliary heater relay fault, or the dishwasher isn’t filling with water (Fred’s Appliance) |
These descriptions vary by source and model.
Which Fix First?
| What you notice | Try first |
| E02 appeared once and cleared | Reset and monitor |
| E02 returns, dishes come out cold or greasy | Check the manual, then a technician to test heating components |
| Comfortable with a multimeter | Test the thermistor, with the power off |
| E02 returns after cleaning and reset | Technician |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E02 mean on a Bosch dishwasher?
Most often a heater relay fault on the control board, sometimes with a temperature sensor problem. The exact meaning varies by model and source.
How do I reset E02?
Unplug the dishwasher or switch off the breaker for about 10 minutes, then restore power and run a cycle.
Can I fix E02 myself?
You can try the reset and, if you’re comfortable testing electrical parts, the thermistor. Relay, power module and control board repairs are better left to a technician.
Is E02 the same as E01?
No, but Fred’s Appliance tells readers to follow the E01 advice for E02, because both can involve the temperature sensor or thermistor.
Is E02 a heating problem?
Fred’s Appliance and MyPros link it to the heater relay or heating circuit. EasyBear describes it as a control-board relay fault and says it isn’t a heater failure.
Could a clogged filter cause E02?
The heating-focused sources don’t list it. Hoffmann Brothers does, but its fixes don’t clearly match its description. Cleaning the filter is still good upkeep, but it’s unlikely to clear a relay fault..
Conclusion
Bosch error code E02 is most often tied to a heater relay on the control board or a temperature sensor problem, though sources differ and it varies by model. Start with a 10-minute power reset, note whether the machine is heating, and check your manual for the meaning on your model. If E02 returns, have a Bosch technician test the thermistor, relay and board instead of guessing at parts, and ask for a quote after diagnosis.
